In an article in New Scientist for 29 Dec. 2001, p.54, in an article entitled "Ice Magic" I encountered the term "Fata Morgana" the optical illusions seen in the Arctic region under special conditions. I searched for it, and found a site with many hours of very pleasant browsing, about a very wide range of subjects.

http://www.unmuseum.mus.pa.us/mirage.htm